Boeing in Europe

Our Presence

Boeing’s history with Europe goes back to Wilhelm Böing, father of company founder Bill Boeing, who was born in Hohenlimburg, Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1868. In 1916, Bill Boeing established a company that has become the world’s leading aviation and aerospace enterprise and a global industry icon.

Boeing has been a part of the European aerospace community for many decades. A European heritage and global perspective are key tenets of our active local presence and remain at the root of our contribution to Europe’s economic and technological growth.

Through its presence in key cities across the region, the company is building mutually beneficial relationships with European stakeholders and decision-makers to advance the interests of aerospace and defence as a global industry and to underscore the vital contribution to European competitiveness and growth.

By the Numbers

Boeing directly employs over 4,000 people in 17 European countries.

Boeing directly employs more than 4,000 people in 17 countries across Europe. The company has delivered 4,600 commercial aircraft to more than 130 European customers in the last six decades and Boeing’s advanced defence platforms are in service with 23 European armed forces.

The company is strengthening its presence by investing in new facilities and leading-edge research as well as through advancing educational, environmental and social programmes that support the European Union’s long-term goals. In 2017, Boeing announced its plan to open its first production facility in Europe. The new facility in Sheffield, UK, will manufacture high-tech components for Boeing’s Next-Generation 737, 737 MAX and 777 aircraft.

In 2016, Boeing sourced more than €9 billion in airplane components and assemblies (including direct and significant indirect spend) from European based companies and hundreds of European suppliers participate in key Boeing commercial aviation, defence and services programmes.

Boeing established in 2002 a dedicated organization called Boeing Research & Technology-Europe that today comprises a team of over 50 highly qualified engineers and scientists in Germany (Munich), the United Kingdom (Sheffield) and Spain (Madrid). It serves as the hub of a larger Boeing research network and works with 20 research centres, 45 universities and more than 200 industry partners inside and outside of Europe.

Feature Stories

TUI Group welcomed their second Boeing 737 MAX 8 for TUI Nordic. The flight from Seattle to Stockholm was performed with 30% blend biofuel and marked a 1st delivery flight ever of the 737 MAX on sustainable aviation fuel!

A big milestone! This weekend marked the 10th anniversary of the world’s first biofuel test flight. On February 24th 2008, a Virgin Atlantic’s 747 flew from London to Amsterdam on a 20% blend of fuel derived from sustainable sources.

Boeing and FedEx will work together to test more than 35 technologies and advanced materials aboard a FedEx-owned 777 Freighter named Hollie. New technologies to be tested will help reducing emissions and noise and help meet many environmental goals.

On February 1, 2018, Boeing, GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and Travel Service, the largest carrier in the Czech Republic, celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 737 MAX airplane. Improved fuel-efficiency of the 737 MAX will help Czech Republic’s largest carrier grow its network.

Boeing and TUI Group, the world's largest tourism business, today celebrated the delivery of the operator's first 737 MAX 8. The cleaner, quieter and more efficient airplane will play a key role in TUI Group's ambition to operate Europe's most carbon efficient airlines.

Coding and programming is increasingly important for the development and manufacturing of new aerospace products and services. Find out how Boeing partnered with ThinkYoung to equip tomorrow’s leaders with 21st century coding skills!

Boeing and the Netherlands Ministry of Defense signed an agreement on December 14, 2017, that will upgrade six Royal Air Force (RNLAF) Chinooks to latest F-model configuration. Deliveries of the six modernized CH-47s are planned to begin in 2021.

Coding in the Classroom: What the European Youth Wants”: Boeing and ThinkYoung together with Lieve Wierinck (MEP) hosted another interactive discussion in the European Parliament on coding and future digital skills

Boeing continues to pioneer and integrate autonomous technologies from the seabed to space – setting a new standard for safe, successful missions that amplify human capabilities and revolutionize how we connect, protect, and explore our world.

Aurora Flight Sciences specializes in the development of autonomy-enabled aircraft and robotics for advanced aerospace application and will accelerate Boeing's development of game-changing autonomy technology for innovative aerospace vehicles. Headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, Aurora operates in six states in the U.S. and also in Luzern, Switzerland.

The ATAG 2017 Global Sustainable Aviation Summit is the leading global forum for the world’s aviation community to discuss the sustainable development of aviation. Pradeep Fernandes, Managing Director of Disruptive Horizons at Boeing HorizonX, will be one of the speakers during session three on Wednesday October 4th, entitled ‘Meet the 2050 goal to reduce net aviation CO2 emissions through technology’.

The world’s first Newton Flight Academy opened its doors in Bodø in 2016 with the objective to teach aerodynamics, navigation and meteorology and to experience being a pilot in full-motion flight simulators. About 8,000 people from all age groups and sectors have visited the Academy so far and this autumn, work will begin on a new educational module on the science behind sustainable biofuels used in aviation.

Boeing started construction of its first European production facility in Sheffield, UK. The 6,200-square-metre (66,700 square feet) building, due to open in late 2018, will manufacture actuation system components for Boeing’s Next-Generation 737, 737 MAX and 777 aeroplanes.

Boeing in Europe

Boeing in the EU

Boeing has been a part of the European aerospace community for almost 80 years, contributing to and benefiting from the region’s tradition of innovation and excellence.

The Boeing Brussels office, led by Brian Moran, vice president of Government Affairs for Boeing Europe, represents the company to the institutions of the EU and NATO.

Boeing works together with the European Union, European governments, research and development entities, international agencies and regulatory bodies to strengthen the role of aerospace in Europe and in the global economy. The company also collaborates with them on issues of mutual interest, such as:

Boeing Europe Leaders

Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing Europe and Managing Director of Boeing UK & Ireland, and his team of leaders, manage the company’s European strategy and operations to drive business growth across the region.